George Kell Motors of Newport, Arkansas, sells a variety of new vehicles from brands like GMC and Chevrolet. What are some things to consider when buying a new vehicle?

For most people, buying a new car or truck comes down to one main issue: Can I afford it? That said, look at your savings, income and budget and run the numbers to see if it’s a smart decision to buy a new vehicle in the coming days.

Many people will be faced with this other big question: Should I buy or lease it? Buying a car means you own it, while leasing means you’re borrowing it and have to give it back, eventually. Some people like to lease vehicles for tax purposes– perhaps they can deduct their payments as a business owner. Others only want to outright own their vehicles so they don’t feel indebted to anyone. Leasing is a good way to enjoy a very nice vehicle for a short time without having to own it. If you’re the type of person who always like to drive something new, then leasing might be the right choice. If you’re the type who holds on to your car or truck for more than ten years, then buying is the way to go.

Next, a person will often ask themselves, “Should I buy brand new or get a pre-owned vehicle?” Buying brand new gives a person a great feeling because no one else has owned and driven “their car/their baby.” However, people who want to save money usually don’t mind buying a pre-owned vehicle since they’re less expensive than brand new ones.

Finally, it’s a good idea to do your research before buying any vehicle. Find out how a particular brand and model is perceived by experts by reading Consumer Reports and online sources which review vehicles for things like safety and performance. Ask around and see what your friends and family say about vehicles they love and vehicles they loathe. The more you know about the vehicle you want to buy, the better off you’ll be in the long run.

One of the most annoying and unsightly things that can happen to your car is rust. Not only can rust can severely damage the durability of your car’s body, it also just plain looks bad and decreases the value of your car.

A few common things that contribute to vehicle rust are salt from melting ice and snow as well as moisture that contacts the metal underneath. When your vehicle’s coat of paint has been scratched or chipped, it puts your vehicle at an increased risk.

There are steps you can take to prevent rust from showing up on your vehicle. As always, you will want to consult with a vehicle mechanic if the problem persists or gets much worse.

• Get your vehicle washed every few weeks, especially if you live near salt water or it happens to be winter in your area.

• Every four months, put a nice and thick coat of wax onto your vehicle. Wax is a sealant for a lot of common problems that can happen to cars.

• Make sure you clean the inside of your vehicle by wiping up any spills, as rust can start in the inside and end up going to the exterior.

• Routinely inspect the underside of your vehicle and clean built up snow, dirt, and debris when necessary.

• If you find any problems with your paint, especially any bubbling, get it take care of right away.

• If your vehicle is not going to be driven for a while, make sure you wash and spray it with a rust-preventing spray. At this time, you should cover your vehicle with an appropriate car cover.